Today...
*My daughters decided that markers are a great substitute for make-up
*One child pooped 8 times into diapers
*I learned that my home/family present a hostile work environment to treatment providers
*The girls thought stripping down in the yard and rolling in mud pits was totally the right thing to do an hour before the school open house
*The school open house - I give you two guesses how I feel about these events
* I did not have breakfast or lunch unless a few handfuls of tortilla chips and half a cupcake count
*Someone asked to use my guest bath which was in a total disaster state
*I let one child play with the water/hose for a full two hours (connect to bullet point four) - shame on my environmental conscience
*We set off our fire alarm
*I discovered a mystery rash on one of the kids
And now, if you'll excuse me, I need some Eierlikoer.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Ella's Birthday Party 2016
We recently celebrated Ella's eighth birthday with family and friends. Ella firmly believes that she's a mermaid and that her tail will grow when she gets older, so it was no surprise that she asked for a mermaid party.
I did a little research - not on Pinterest because that would be self-sabotaging on so many levels - but via a few blogs of families who'd done mermaid parties. I toned down their ideas by about 80% and spent approximately $10 on decorations, including for the cake, raided my house for the rest, as well as did a combo of homemade and ordered food. Add the pool, some toys, family and friends and, voila, we had ourselves a celebration and our mermaid was happy.
The cake has a little story. Ella asked for a blue mermaid cake and I decided to make it myself. I baked the layers and then frosted the middle and the top and set the cake into the fridge to let the buttercream harden a little more before decorating. When I opened the fridge about 30 minutes later, the entire top layer had broken apart and slid off to the sides. So, making the best of a less than ideal situation, I created this cake and everyone thought it was perfect.
Ella ended the day with a long bath, followed by a mama massage with essential oils, and then getting the special privilege of sleeping in the big bed with Craig and me.
I did a little research - not on Pinterest because that would be self-sabotaging on so many levels - but via a few blogs of families who'd done mermaid parties. I toned down their ideas by about 80% and spent approximately $10 on decorations, including for the cake, raided my house for the rest, as well as did a combo of homemade and ordered food. Add the pool, some toys, family and friends and, voila, we had ourselves a celebration and our mermaid was happy.
The cake has a little story. Ella asked for a blue mermaid cake and I decided to make it myself. I baked the layers and then frosted the middle and the top and set the cake into the fridge to let the buttercream harden a little more before decorating. When I opened the fridge about 30 minutes later, the entire top layer had broken apart and slid off to the sides. So, making the best of a less than ideal situation, I created this cake and everyone thought it was perfect.
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| Opening presents |
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| Cousin stealing candy off the cake |
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Tuesday's Top Ten
Today I've had...
*raw bacon on my toes
*poop in the pool
*melted crayons on the deck
*latex gloves left behind by Emilia with what I hope was not a message from her about my parenting
*two of Rex's former therapists visit and jump right into this week's chaos here for a couple of hours
*the happiest, most adorable sous chef
*my youngest cut her own bangs - no further comment
*to make ten jars of jam before the peaches went bad on me
*love notes from Ella
*countless mystery spills all over the house from morning to evening
And now if you'll excuse me, I need to have a little cry.
*raw bacon on my toes
*poop in the pool
*melted crayons on the deck
*latex gloves left behind by Emilia with what I hope was not a message from her about my parenting
*two of Rex's former therapists visit and jump right into this week's chaos here for a couple of hours
*the happiest, most adorable sous chef
*my youngest cut her own bangs - no further comment
*to make ten jars of jam before the peaches went bad on me
*love notes from Ella
*countless mystery spills all over the house from morning to evening
And now if you'll excuse me, I need to have a little cry.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Picture Of The Day
I know it's been quiet around here because... well... it's summer and we have nothing and everything going on. There have been lots of lazy afternoons and evenings in the pool and a general attitude of doing just the minimum to get by while we have fun.
It's been super hot this week, so last night we decided to dine poolside. Thank you, summer, for your bounty and Kroger for your manager's specials.
Mozarella - $2.58
Greens - $0.70
Tomatoes from the farm stand (I buy the less than perfect ones) - $1.00
Pitas - $1.09
Fresh herbs - $0.75
Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper - pennies
We so enjoyed this delicious dinner for just over $6.00. And, of course, icecream followed for dessert. We love summer.
It's been super hot this week, so last night we decided to dine poolside. Thank you, summer, for your bounty and Kroger for your manager's specials.
Mozarella - $2.58
Greens - $0.70
Tomatoes from the farm stand (I buy the less than perfect ones) - $1.00
Pitas - $1.09
Fresh herbs - $0.75
Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper - pennies
We so enjoyed this delicious dinner for just over $6.00. And, of course, icecream followed for dessert. We love summer.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Rex's Together Forever Day - Fifth Anniversary
Five years ago today, we took Rex out of his orphanage as our son. Five years... was there ever life before Rex?
In spring 2010 when we had a medical review of Rex's referral information, the doctor told us that Rex might be "the proverbial vegetable." Not responsive, not mobile, not interactive. And as we landed in Yerevan to meet Rex several months later, I held Craig's hand and said, "What if he really is a vegetable?" and Craig answered, "Then he will be our vegetable."
Rex has turned out to be anything but what was predicted for him. He's a strong, lively, interactive, opinionated, funny elementary schooler now. He learned to walk when we were told he might not. In fact, he runs, jumps, climbs and can ride a bike with training wheels. He is no longer nonverbal as was predicted for him, but speaks around 30 words now, whether correctly or in approximation. He repeats whatever he can, fighting apraxia of speech every single day. He combines two words into sentences whenever possible. Rex understands everything that is said to him and answers at a minimum with yes or no. Rex also has become so much better at using nonverbal communication, such as gestures, facial expressions, and signs in combination with expressive language. He thinks pointing is magical. His desire to communicate is intense, despite the many obstacles he faces.
Fine motor and self-help skills are still a struggle for Rex, but he can complete interlocking puzzles, he can undress independently, and he can dress with some assistance. He needs few prompts to follow through with a bathroom routine and is trip trained. He loves public restrooms and actually initiates using them by signing potty. He can drink from a water bottle and blow bubbles which is not an easy feat for a cleft-affected kiddo.
Most importantly Rex went from an angry, lonely, aggressive, isolated toddler to a fun-loving, affectionate, sociable elementary schooler. He calls me Mama and daddy is Gagga with a finger pointing at his main man to make sure we understand him correctly. Ella is Eh, Emilia is Eee-yah, and his friend Harry at school is Ha-Ha. He asks for Ha-Ha on weekends because he wants to play. Rex gives the sweetest kisses and snuggles up to us on the couch or in bed. Rex loves to play outdoors and get dirty with sticks and mud and rocks. He loves hikes and to race his tricycle down the street to where we can hardly keep up. We can't drive past a playground without Rex signing, "Play." He opens the refrigerator to get out salami and cream cheese to show us exactly what kind of sandwich he wants us to make for him. He tells us yes and no with complete casualness and as a matter of course - as if it's not been just a year since he acquired this skill. He gently feeds the animals when we visit our local farmer. Every single person who has taken the time to get to know Rex loves him and his personality.
There are challenges for and with Rex nearly every single day. There are tears and screams and falls and broken objects and scratches and frustrations and sensory avoidance or sensory seeking. There are obstacles ahead for him and for us that we may not even know yet. And that's okay. We're together and we will keep walking the road less traveled.
In spring 2010 when we had a medical review of Rex's referral information, the doctor told us that Rex might be "the proverbial vegetable." Not responsive, not mobile, not interactive. And as we landed in Yerevan to meet Rex several months later, I held Craig's hand and said, "What if he really is a vegetable?" and Craig answered, "Then he will be our vegetable."
Rex has turned out to be anything but what was predicted for him. He's a strong, lively, interactive, opinionated, funny elementary schooler now. He learned to walk when we were told he might not. In fact, he runs, jumps, climbs and can ride a bike with training wheels. He is no longer nonverbal as was predicted for him, but speaks around 30 words now, whether correctly or in approximation. He repeats whatever he can, fighting apraxia of speech every single day. He combines two words into sentences whenever possible. Rex understands everything that is said to him and answers at a minimum with yes or no. Rex also has become so much better at using nonverbal communication, such as gestures, facial expressions, and signs in combination with expressive language. He thinks pointing is magical. His desire to communicate is intense, despite the many obstacles he faces.
Fine motor and self-help skills are still a struggle for Rex, but he can complete interlocking puzzles, he can undress independently, and he can dress with some assistance. He needs few prompts to follow through with a bathroom routine and is trip trained. He loves public restrooms and actually initiates using them by signing potty. He can drink from a water bottle and blow bubbles which is not an easy feat for a cleft-affected kiddo.
Most importantly Rex went from an angry, lonely, aggressive, isolated toddler to a fun-loving, affectionate, sociable elementary schooler. He calls me Mama and daddy is Gagga with a finger pointing at his main man to make sure we understand him correctly. Ella is Eh, Emilia is Eee-yah, and his friend Harry at school is Ha-Ha. He asks for Ha-Ha on weekends because he wants to play. Rex gives the sweetest kisses and snuggles up to us on the couch or in bed. Rex loves to play outdoors and get dirty with sticks and mud and rocks. He loves hikes and to race his tricycle down the street to where we can hardly keep up. We can't drive past a playground without Rex signing, "Play." He opens the refrigerator to get out salami and cream cheese to show us exactly what kind of sandwich he wants us to make for him. He tells us yes and no with complete casualness and as a matter of course - as if it's not been just a year since he acquired this skill. He gently feeds the animals when we visit our local farmer. Every single person who has taken the time to get to know Rex loves him and his personality.
There are challenges for and with Rex nearly every single day. There are tears and screams and falls and broken objects and scratches and frustrations and sensory avoidance or sensory seeking. There are obstacles ahead for him and for us that we may not even know yet. And that's okay. We're together and we will keep walking the road less traveled.
Rex, words fail me to tell you what you mean to your daddy and me.
You are our perfect, precious son. You are uniquely human.
The purity of your love and your profound teaching are a great gift
to our whole family.
to our whole family.
I love you. Daddy loves you. Forever.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Picture Of The Day
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| Ella's breakfast - fresh kale and a peanut butter bar |
Monday, July 4, 2016
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